The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-24
THE oHAmBEn oT DEPUTIES.

How 1t "a Constituted. How Public Rusi-
mess 10 Transacted
Chicago Tribune.
The Lower House of the Chamber of Depu-
ties, as it is called corresponding to our Houss
of Representatives, aud to the British House OF
Commons, ia certain TO be the scene of great
debates during the week, fraught with results of
tho highest inportance. That these may be
more inteIlieible to the Tribune readers. scenes
of the same nature. witnessed during period of
intense popular excitement, will be briefly de-
scribsd by who had the rare fortune to wit
ness them from the Presidents box.
First, however, to the constitution aud
character of the chamber It consists OF depu-
ties elected by electoral districts. each depart
ment being district Deputies are chosen in
the ratio of one for each 10000 inhabitants, the
entire district voting on each candidate, after
the manner of old Representative -at-large.
The Department of the Seine-another name for
Paris-has thirty eight members the whole of
France counts $685. six sit for Al eera and ten
for the Colonies. making in all 5s4. There are
in the House of Commons go members; in the
American Rouse of Representatives, 325. the
basis of one for every $4,000 Inhabitants. Pop
ulation of France. 80. 0o0. 900; of Great Britain
and ireland, 81, ,000, 900; Of the United States.
co. 200, 600
The electors of Franc ce exceed in number TO-
Il.
interested enough in their political destiny to
vote. The qualifi twenty-one years
of age and citizenship. which is obtained by TWO
years residence in any one town or canton
deputy must be a citizen and TWENTY-FIVE years OF
age. The Senate is composed of 300 members
of whom seventy five are for life; but vacancies
in this category filed by elections for nine
years. TIE election Of the Senators is indirect
but is practically controlled by the Deputies
acting with delegates ch1ssn Oy IN hr ana
thirty Senators No qualifications are required
except to have reached forty years of aes and to
be Frenchmap. Representatives are elected
for four years. Both houses act conformity in
legislation. but financial laws must originate in
the lower house. The President Of the republic
is chosen by the two houses in joint session
His term is seven years, and he may be re-
elected. In addition to the executive functions of
our Preslden. be has also the right to
initiate legislation concurrently with
the two houses. He is head of the amy
and the civil service; with the assent of the
Senate he may dissolve the House of Deputies
before the legal expiration of its term but new
elections be held within three months
The ministers responsible to the chambers;
the President Is inde pendent of tbem except for
high treason. He can not declare war, however.
without the consent In advance OF the two
houses.
The House is of great historic interest It
was built in the last quarter of tho last century
palace for the dowager Duchess de Bour-
bon. The front facing the Seine is like q Greek
temple, with a colonnade of twelve Corinthian
columns Statues of Colbert. Suy. DAeues-
seau L'Hopitai. Themis. and Minerva adorn
the entrance. which Is at the mead OF an I'M DOS
ing flight of steps extending the entire 'front.'
101 feet On the tympanum of the portieo are
Liberty aud Order summonIng Commerce. Ag-
ricui.ure and Peacsk 10 ber aid-France with the
Constitution being Between Liberty and Order.
The group is by Cortot The Seine front was
built in the early part of the present century.
The original facade faces the Rue de rUniver-
site. and public square with marble sculpt-
ure of Law by reucheres.
In 1879 the building was declared national
property; was set apar. for the Council Of Five
Hundred, and subsequently for the Corps Legis-
latif, or Chamber of Deputies. For short
time rent paid for it to the owner. the
Prince of Cende, and afterwards it pur-
chased of the Orleans family by the govern
ment. The Deputies have always met in il.
cept from 1871 to 1879, when they found Yer
saes more peaceful and safer In lS4S the
| Socialists expelled the Legislature, who were
reinstated by the National Guard. It in
this room. also. tho Duchess of Orleans ap-
| peared with her two sons in the vain hope OF
| securing the throne. Her life and that of the
| Assembly Itself were In danger from the mob
| from whom she and the children were rescued
| with difficulty. strong iron railing which IL
| still standing was put up to prevent repeti-
tion of mob annoyance
The principal anartmeut Of the interior. the
sale des seances. Is the chamber. Imagine .
/ semcircular hall. with desks facing the Speak
/ er's chair, as in our House OF Representatives
| Tho roof ID supported by twenty marble col
umns. and the walls are hung with Gobelin tap
estry representing RSphaefs School of Athens
l At the sides are statues Of Liberty and Order,